2010 AD100: Richard Landry

“We ask a lot of questions, and we often challenge our clients to truly pay attention to the way they actually live in their home, the way they entertain, how they see themselves in five, 10 or 15 years,” architect Richard Landry says of his approach to working with a new client. His Los Angeles firm, Landry Design Group, which he established almost 20 years ago, has realized more than 250 residences, many of them large in scale and for high-profile clients. Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Eddie Murphy and Rod Stewart are among the celebrities who have commissioned the architect.

“Although we’re known for working on large-scale homes,” says Landry, “our clients are usually concerned with the scale of the rooms, making sure that they’re practical without being oversize. What makes our homes large is the simple fact that they incorporate several bedroom suites and many additional rooms, such as gyms, theaters, playrooms, home offices, project rooms and proper storage.” While some architects pride themselves on having a signature style, Landry has built his practice on “diversity—from modern to classic,” as he says. “What unifies our projects,” he adds, “is the attention to details and responsiveness to our clients’ requirements, regardless of style.” That philosophy, along with the homes that have been born from it, is the subject of a new monograph, Modern to Classic.